How can I choose the best treatment of Clostridium difficile?
Clostridium difficile, also called C. difficile or C. Diff, is a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. In humans, it may cause infection by excretion of toxins into the lower intestines or large intestines. Symptoms of infection include fever and diarrhea. The best treatment of Clostridium difficile depends on the severity of the infection and ranges from mere observation of the patient to hospitalization and treatment of antibiotics.
Sometimes patients can simply colonized C. Diff and show no symptoms of infection. The most common reason why infection is developing is the recent treatment of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill the flora of natural bacteria in the lower intestines, allowing multiplication of C. Diff. Other risk factors include current or recent hospitalization, based in long -term care, such as nursing home, and reduced immunity, such as after chemotherapy. Disorders of lower intestines, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, may also increase C. Diff infection.
Clostridium difficile is a proliThe one in the stool of an infected or colonized person, then spreads into food, objects and/or surfaces when this person does not make his hands properly. Spores can live on many surfaces such as phones, tops and floors, for many weeks. C. Diff then spreads to another person when it touches the contaminated surface. In the United States, this is primarily widespread to healthcare providers that touch the contaminated surface, then explore or care for the patient.
Symptoms of mild infection are watery diarrhea more than three times a day and low degree fever. There may also be mild abdominal pain and convulsions. The best treatment of mild infection is to stop implicated antibiotics. This usually solves symptoms within a few days.
Symptoms of more serious infection are caused when toxins lead to inflammation and damage to the colon lining. This results in water diarrhea as often as 10 to 15 timesDaily, increased number of white blood cells and fever often higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 Celsius). Blood in stools and severe abdominal pain and convulsions also often accompany serious infections. If it is not treated, a serious infection may lead to perforation and intestinal death.
Clostridium difficile The treatment of severe infection requires antibiotics for at least ten days. Oral antibiotics are preferred because C. Diff remains in the large intestine and does not go to the bloodstream. The drugs of selection are Metronidazole, Vankomycin or Teicoplanin. If patients cannot tolerate oral antibiotics, intravenous metronidazole can be administered. Commonly used antidiarrheals should be prevented because they can cause the patient to retain the toxin inside the colon.
about one quarter of patients will have a recurring infection and will require further treatment of Clostridium difficile. If there is an OPAccess infection, patients are most often again treated with antibiotics for up to six weeks.
patients with several episodes of infection are candidates for complementary therapy. Probiotics can be accepted to prevent C. Diff overgrowth by replenishing the bacterial flora in the intestines. Cholestyramine is an oral medicine that can be taken to bind toxins. Finally, intravenous immune globulin can be administered to provide antibodies against C. Diff bacteria. This is a costly therapy most commonly reserved for critically ill patients.
The best treatment of Clostridium difficile is in fact prevention. Antibiotics should only be used when it is actually listed. Washing hands with soap and water prevents the spread of C. Diff from the patient to the patient. In hospitals, patients suspect infection are often included in special insulation rooms. Finitevals, any reusable equipment and surfaces in hospitals and long -term care equipment should be useful after each useThey are cleaned and disinfected.